Why community-driven mental health?
Increasing awareness and treatment are important but not enough to address the growing mental health crisis.
Why community-driven mental health?
Increasing awareness and treatment are important but not enough to address the growing mental health crisis.
1 in 2 people globally are estimated to experience poor mental health in their lifetime*
Despite this, research shows that in 2020, governments spent just over 2% of health budgets on mental health, with many low-income countries reporting fewer than 1 mental health worker per 100,000 people. Systemic injustice and violence worsen the impact, particularly on marginalized communities, underscoring the urgent need for mental health promotion at scale.
1 in 2 people globally are estimated to experience poor mental health in their lifetime*
Despite this, research shows that in 2020, governments spent just over 2% of health budgets on mental health, with many low-income countries reporting fewer than 1 mental health worker per 100,000 people. Systemic injustice and violence worsen the impact, particularly on marginalized communities, underscoring the urgent need for mental health promotion at scale.
What is mental health promotion?
Without mental health, individuals and communities face significant challenges across essential areas of life.
To promote positive mental health, building psychological flexibility – while also improving the environment around – is key. These skills help prevent mental health conditions, support resilience in crises, and enable people to make values-based decisions and do what matters most to them.
How does it scale?
True collective well-being and liberation can only emerge when we center communities and their visions of flourishing.
With community participation and stakeholder ownership, mental health promotion programs can benefit everyone, not just people with a diagnosis. The skill-building approach makes it possible to scale through local systems, moving beyond clinical silos.
What is mental health promotion?
Without mental health, individuals and communities face significant challenges across essential areas of life.
To promote positive mental health, building psychological flexibility – while also improving the environment around – is key. These skills help prevent mental health conditions, support resilience in crises, and enable people to make values-based decisions and do what matters most to them.
How does it scale?
True collective well-being and liberation can only emerge when we center communities and their visions of flourishing.
With community participation and stakeholder ownership, mental health promotion programs can benefit everyone, not just people with a diagnosis. The skill-building approach makes it possible to scale through local systems, moving beyond clinical silos.
Promoting mental health across sectors
Education
Classrooms infused with mental health for both educators and students can offer an environment for lifelong learning and personal growth.
Youth leadership
With positive mental health, young people experience greater agency and possibility to lead the change they want to see— from social innovation to community care to climate justice.
Gender equity
Mental health increases emotional stability and values-driven action, making it possible to shift both individual behaviors and community perspectives on long-held beliefs and practices.
Workforce development
Mental health skills support sustainable employment through improved overall adult learning, productivity, and wellbeing at work.
Education
Classrooms infused with mental health for both educators and students can offer an environment for lifelong learning and personal growth.
Youth leadership
With positive mental health, young people experience greater agency and possibility to lead the change they want to see— from social innovation to community care to climate justice.
Gender equity
Mental health increases emotional stability and values-driven action, making it possible to shift both individual behaviors and community perspectives on long-held beliefs and practices.
Workforce development
Mental health skills support sustainable employment through improved overall adult learning, productivity, and wellbeing at work.
How do we foster community-led mental health?
How do we foster community-led mental health?
Here’s how we work
Community-centered design
Centering participants’ values and experiences in the creation of locally-driven programs. Learn more.
Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT)
An adaptable, evidence-based therapeutic framework that helps individuals and communities develop psychological flexibility. Learn more.
Liberation psychology
Actively dismantling the legacy of internalized and external oppression to experience healing, values-derived action, and collective freedom. Learn more.
Here’s how we work
Community-centered design
Centering participants’ values and experiences in the creation of locally-driven programs. Learn more.
Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT)
An adaptable, evidence-based therapeutic framework that helps individuals and communities develop psychological flexibility. Learn more.
Liberation psychology
Actively dismantling the legacy of internalized and external oppression to experience healing, values-derived action, and collective freedom. Learn more.